Thank You for the video! I have one outlet that shows hot and neutral are reversed...but the wires are on the correct screw. Now I know how to test to find out which wire is actually hot! Great!!
Great video Bill! I personally don't use non-contact testers and was very interested that your video taught me that if the polarity is reversed it won't read on the hot side. I can't wait to show this in real life to my younger brother who uses a non-contact tester, without really knowing how to use it. He refuses to use a mulit-meter I bought him and won't let me teach him how to use either tool correctly.
You also need to get a proofing tester before you use either anywhere near electricity to indicate it works as intended. I prefer the more expensive fluke PRV240FS proofing tester the nice thing about this is you can proof both lead based meters and non-contact testers including for AC and DC really nice proofing unit.
Great video. I just had my home inspected and was told a few of my outlets had reverse polarity. You did a great job explaining the issue and how to fix it. Thank you!
Great video Bill! Thank you very much! I recently checked my outlets and found 4 in my kitchen with reverse polarity. I took covers off all of them and noticed they’re wired correctly. Any other ideas what it could be? Thank you
@@DeeDee-rr3snYes it was a very quick fix. I actually had to bite the bullet and call an electrician however when he showed up he immediately went to the main panel outside and found the white neutral was connected to the hot line. All he did was unplug it and plugged it into the neutral line and that took care of it all! He was cool and didn’t even write up an invoice and only charged me $100 for about 10 minutes of work and even asked if $100 was ok . I immediately said no problem .He easily could’ve charged much more and I expected to pay much more. He jokingly asked if I had done it and I told him heck no. I would never mess with the main electrical panel but I had some remodel work done years ago which included a panel upgrade and he said that’s where it happened . The remodelers connected it wrong. But I’m glad his work took care of the whole house.
Hi there, what about if a receptacle is wired correctly, white wire on silver screws and black on brass, but the little plug tester says revered hot/neutral 😢. Oh, but the voltage detector reads correctly, left side silent/ neutral, right/hot beep
I tested all myoutlets in my 30 year old home just last week. I had one that was revered polarity. I knew that meant the wire were reversed and this increased risk of shock. However I didn't know this reduced the life of certain appliances.
Yes, the black wires turn grey and the white wires turn grey. LOL! And if they reverse the polarity on an upstream receptacle it reverses the polarity on all of the downstream receptacles.
Thanks. Nice video. What could happen if I touch the two probes of the multi-meter to two HOT wires? For example a receptacle in a series, So, two paths entering one receptacle (2 hots, 2 neutrals in one box), and 1950s home, all wires are black. I'll search for a video on your channel. The outcomes of test possibilities should be something like, how many different ways can 4 wires and a red and black probe connect, should be some combination of maths. I think total combinations to test is 12 different tests. But which readouts are expected in this situation? I think the multi-meter will report either 120v, thanks to this video, 0 volts (neutral connected to another neutral), or what ever it reports when red probe touches hot and black probe touches other hot. So many questions, sorry, Is a LoZ multimeter, (more expensive) required to identify the voltages below 12 volts when touch probes to two different neutrals? I meant, a LoZ multimeter will confirm a neutral is a neutral by showing some tiny amount of volts. And if by chance, this 1950s home has a sheathed wire acting as a ground conductor wire, then a loZ multimeter will show zero, to identify neutrals from a repurposed sheathed ground? Your videos are awesome. I keep picking up new things. Like a volt tester can test all the way down to 12 Volts.
sort of related to reverse polarity, is this non standard and unsafe way to wire 3 way switches. I just finished a renovation in a 1952 Ranch home in Anderson County, South Carolina. the original wiring is the cloth braided ungrounded romex. In the hallways, a 14-2 runs from a receptacle to the first 3 way switch. The hot and neutral are joined with a pigtail and connected to the traveller screws, then jumps over to the other way way switch, same thing, then connects to another receptacle and continues down the line. A single wire, with a rubberized insulation, connected from the common screw in each switch box, to the light. Light can have 4 states depending on how the switchs are flipped. N-N = OFF N-H (correct polarity) = ON H-H = OFF, socket is hot on both terminals. H-N = (Reverse polarity) = ON. There is no 14/3 anywhere in this house, as far as I could tell.
Most single phase appliances wouldn't care of reversed polarity, remember there are connection systems like Schuko which are not polarised. It's more of a safety issue. For the Edison socket it would be a massive issue because in that case the threads would be live if you change a light bulb and a dangerous potential would be touchable. And in case of the Schuko system we use measures to create the same amount of safety. For example using 2-pole switches which switch the line and the neutral, for where a single pole switch would be sufficient in a polarised system. Appliances which require a polarisation are here mostly hardwired or connected with a different plug which is polarised. For example the CEE (in the UK this is called commando plug) or Perilex. But the Perilex is actually a three-phase connector available in a 16A (~11 kW) and a 25A (~17 kW) version, the CEE are available in single and in three-phase variants. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perilex
@@okaro6595 They got a different measure, of course unplug, but they also got a big collar around the Edison socket to prevent that someone can touch the socket of the lamp while it's still in contact with the socket of the lamp.
I have hot & neutral reversed outlets all around my living room (all on the same circuit breaker). How can I know where the problem is coming from? Today I checked 3 of 8 outlets and they were wired correctly. I will have to check the other 5, but I'm not sure they might have any incorrect or reversed wiring as I have installed these outlets in the past myself, and I doubt I made a mistake - but you never know, checking will verify. If they are ALL wired correctly, how can I find the source of the problem?
But what happens if the wires coming to the outlet are reversed polarity? Is it okay to just swap the white (live because it's reversed) with the black (neutral because it's reversed). Or do you have to go back through the entire circuit to find the source of the reversal?
No, professionally this wouldn't be to code. If another electrician comes in, he may not know that everything is reversed. Also the next home owner may not know. This is a safety big hazard. Also, i'd check the entire eletrical system, because if they mix up that simple of a thing, what else did they mix up. So you are right about having to fix the main source and fixing it there. The conductors are color coded for a reason.
A tip is to use NCV Detector on the outlets upstream of that circuit. If polarity is reversed maybe wires at an outlet are reversed or even worse and odd is wires at the main panel are reversed. Advise u to call an electrician though.
Your video is a reverse polarity with a square socket. Mine is the older round double socket is there any difference or do I need to replace it with the newer square socket? I other words is the back the same on both shaped sockets?
Hey Bill is there a specific reason why the conductors are not connected in line kind of thing to the outlet, in other words white conductor to white screw across the black conductor to bronze screw ? Since you have two white screws and two bronze screws. I normally see the conductors been connected alternated to one another. Is this a code? Hope you understand my question. Thanks
No. It's usually a new guy not paying attention to what he's doing. White goes to silver, black to bronze, and green to ground. Old wiring or special circumstances may be done differently, but usually not for receptacles.
I just replaced the outlets in a bedroom, only to find out the entire set of outlets do not work when the breaker is turned on. So obviously messed up one or more outlets along the way / how can I determine - since I am Not getting power in either breaker position - where the screw up is!
Sparked I have 3 outlets on a 15a breaker ..i put in 3 new receptacles all hooked up correctly blacks to bronze colored screws.and whites to. Silver screws ...using my outlet tester I am now getting reverse hot and nuetral on all three outlets ...rechecked twice no mix ups..checked the breaker and black wire is hooked to breaker switch ..so now what? Your help would be appreciated ..i believe this room was wired in the 70s there are grounds btw...
If that wire from your panel is INDEED going to your first receptacle you installed, (and you instslled it correctly), then something is wrong w/ your receptacle. I don't think that's your first hit from the panel, though.
Is it possible to have a reverse polarity on a 240v 3 prong outlet? I'm assuming not since reverse polarity if I understand correctly is mixed hot and neutral and the three-prong has two hots and a neutral/ground prong - correct?
hey, i have a question. is there a way to use 3 way switches to control a ceiling fan that will control the light and fan on separate switches without having 2 separate travelers?
This is the type of videos I love watching from Sparky Channel. I hope he answers or does a video on this. I've been hoping he would upload his video on how to wire a three-way circuit again. I've shown dozens of people that video until it got lost.
Very well explained. Thank you. I wish I had all that nice Fluke equipment, but I will manage with my Harbor Freight voltage detector and lower-class Fluke 106.
Always good into to know. Question though. My house, as an example, does not use "pig tails" from the wires to the outlet. So if (as an example) the second outlet in the line is reversed would that make all the others downline also reversed (even if those are wired properly)?
Yes, absolutely! That's why you try to fix the most upstream receptacle that has the problem first. If you do, all the downstream receptacles will be fixed too.
Hi Bill. I follow your videos. They are absolutely excellent! In this video you mentioned that there is a situation where this can occur. So my question is can this occur in another way than simply reversing the connection at an outlet? I ask because I’m am a retired secondary math teacher who has become a part time handyman with many years of experience having had three different homes. I recently came across this where a third card garage addition has all its outlets and lights reversed. I use the same Ideal tester/transmitter that you like to use. My neighbor said that’s been like that ever since they moved to that house for the 13 or so years. So they did not want me to look into it, so I didn’t. Shoiuld that be pursued? What do you think?
Yes. Which is why I'm looking in the comments. It could go all the way back to the breakers. Or in this video, the other end of the wire on the other outlet.
But, yes it is a safety issue and should be fixed. I've heard from co workers of the hot being grounded and also the neutral NOT be grounded where it comes in.
I have a circuit breaker that now works in when in the off position, and doesn't work in the on position. I just did some rewiring, and am an amateur. I messed something up somewhere. What could it be ? Is it dangerous ?
I had this issue at work today with a USB outlet. I was sent to a job for the outlet not working when I took it out of the wall I looked and seen that it was wired correctly but it keep saying it's rev
Is it possible for the tester to display hot-neutral reverse when the actual problem was an open ground? I connected the ground and it went from reverse polarity to correct.
@@HoosierRallyMaster I checked with the voltage tester and only the small slots are hot. It seems to be correct now. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still puzzled about why it didn't show up as an open ground in the first place.
This was a very good video. I watched with my Buyer while on a Zoom meeting while going over the Home Inspection report.
Thank You for the video! I have one outlet that shows hot and neutral are reversed...but the wires are on the correct screw. Now I know how to test to find out which wire is actually hot! Great!!
You should still track back the wiring to its source to find where they got flipped. You may have other reversed outlets.
hey, Bill, just glad to see your channel being slowly repopulated. You've been a huge help to this homeowner...keep it up!
Hi Mark! Great to hear from you. Yes, the channel is being repopulated. I hope you're safe and healthy!
Great video Bill! I personally don't use non-contact testers and was very interested that your video taught me that if the polarity is reversed it won't read on the hot side. I can't wait to show this in real life to my younger brother who uses a non-contact tester, without really knowing how to use it. He refuses to use a mulit-meter I bought him and won't let me teach him how to use either tool correctly.
I agree, with you, he needs to be proficient with both. Multi-meters give a world of information that the NCVT's can't.
You also need to get a proofing tester before you use either anywhere near electricity to indicate it works as intended. I prefer the more expensive fluke PRV240FS proofing tester the nice thing about this is you can proof both lead based meters and non-contact testers including for AC and DC really nice proofing unit.
@@mathman0101 Yes, the Fluke PRV240FS proofing tester is a beauty!
Great video. I just had my home inspected and was told a few of my outlets had reverse polarity. You did a great job explaining the issue and how to fix it. Thank you!
Great video Bill! Thank you very much! I recently checked my outlets and found 4 in my kitchen with reverse polarity. I took covers off all of them and noticed they’re wired correctly. Any other ideas what it could be? Thank you
Hi, did you ever figure out what the issue was if so how did you fix
@@DeeDee-rr3snYes it was a very quick fix. I actually had to bite the bullet and call an electrician however when he showed up he immediately went to the main panel outside and found the white neutral was connected to the hot line. All he did was unplug it and plugged it into the neutral line and that took care of it all! He was cool and didn’t even write up an invoice and only charged me $100 for about 10 minutes of work and even asked if $100 was ok . I immediately said no problem .He easily could’ve charged much more and I expected to pay much more. He jokingly asked if I had done it and I told him heck no. I would never mess with the main electrical panel but I had some remodel work done years ago which included a panel upgrade and he said that’s where it happened . The remodelers connected it wrong. But I’m glad his work took care of the whole house.
@@guitarhero9592 Waste of money for a very simple fix...
Hi there, what about if a receptacle is wired correctly, white wire on silver screws and black on brass, but the little plug tester says revered hot/neutral 😢. Oh, but the voltage detector reads correctly, left side silent/ neutral, right/hot beep
I tested all myoutlets in my 30 year old home just last week. I had one that was revered polarity. I knew that meant the wire were reversed and this increased risk of shock. However I didn't know this reduced the life of certain appliances.
It won't affect appliances.
Another great video Sparky. Lots of problems out there caused by those old grey wires and not adequately informed "handy' homeowners.
Yes, the black wires turn grey and the white wires turn grey. LOL! And if they reverse the polarity on an upstream receptacle it reverses the polarity on all of the downstream receptacles.
Thanks. Nice video. What could happen if I touch the two probes of the multi-meter to two HOT wires? For example a receptacle in a series, So, two paths entering one receptacle (2 hots, 2 neutrals in one box), and 1950s home, all wires are black. I'll search for a video on your channel. The outcomes of test possibilities should be something like, how many different ways can 4 wires and a red and black probe connect, should be some combination of maths. I think total combinations to test is 12 different tests. But which readouts are expected in this situation? I think the multi-meter will report either 120v, thanks to this video, 0 volts (neutral connected to another neutral), or what ever it reports when red probe touches hot and black probe touches other hot. So many questions, sorry, Is a LoZ multimeter, (more expensive) required to identify the voltages below 12 volts when touch probes to two different neutrals? I meant, a LoZ multimeter will confirm a neutral is a neutral by showing some tiny amount of volts. And if by chance, this 1950s home has a sheathed wire acting as a ground conductor wire, then a loZ multimeter will show zero, to identify neutrals from a repurposed sheathed ground? Your videos are awesome. I keep picking up new things. Like a volt tester can test all the way down to 12 Volts.
sort of related to reverse polarity, is this non standard and unsafe way to wire 3 way switches. I just finished a renovation in a 1952 Ranch home in Anderson County, South Carolina. the original wiring is the cloth braided ungrounded romex. In the hallways, a 14-2 runs from a receptacle to the first 3 way switch. The hot and neutral are joined with a pigtail and connected to the traveller screws, then jumps over to the other way way switch, same thing, then connects to another receptacle and continues down the line. A single wire, with a rubberized insulation, connected from the common screw in each switch box, to the light. Light can have 4 states depending on how the switchs are flipped. N-N = OFF N-H (correct polarity) = ON H-H = OFF, socket is hot on both terminals. H-N = (Reverse polarity) = ON. There is no 14/3 anywhere in this house, as far as I could tell.
Most single phase appliances wouldn't care of reversed polarity, remember there are connection systems like Schuko which are not polarised. It's more of a safety issue. For the Edison socket it would be a massive issue because in that case the threads would be live if you change a light bulb and a dangerous potential would be touchable. And in case of the Schuko system we use measures to create the same amount of safety. For example using 2-pole switches which switch the line and the neutral, for where a single pole switch would be sufficient in a polarised system. Appliances which require a polarisation are here mostly hardwired or connected with a different plug which is polarised. For example the CEE (in the UK this is called commando plug) or Perilex. But the Perilex is actually a three-phase connector available in a 16A (~11 kW) and a 25A (~17 kW) version, the CEE are available in single and in three-phase variants.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perilex
Thanks Marcel!
I have never seen a double pole switch on a lamp. The procedure is to unplug before changing the bulb. Only power strips use double pole switches.
@@okaro6595 They got a different measure, of course unplug, but they also got a big collar around the Edison socket to prevent that someone can touch the socket of the lamp while it's still in contact with the socket of the lamp.
The right side slot of the receptacle is the hot positive side?
I have hot & neutral reversed outlets all around my living room (all on the same circuit breaker). How can I know where the problem is coming from? Today I checked 3 of 8 outlets and they were wired correctly. I will have to check the other 5, but I'm not sure they might have any incorrect or reversed wiring as I have installed these outlets in the past myself, and I doubt I made a mistake - but you never know, checking will verify. If they are ALL wired correctly, how can I find the source of the problem?
What does it mean when you plug something in that draws power and THEN the testor shows reversed, but not until?
I do HVAC service. If the polarity is reversed, the control board will blink red and green, indicating rev polarity
Excellent! That's very important information both for the equipment and for people.
Sparky, on a house with Knob and tube wiring, besides running new wiring is there a way to ground replacement receptacles?
Thanks Sparky! and have a safe Merry Christmas!
But what happens if the wires coming to the outlet are reversed polarity? Is it okay to just swap the white (live because it's reversed) with the black (neutral because it's reversed). Or do you have to go back through the entire circuit to find the source of the reversal?
I have the same question
No, professionally this wouldn't be to code. If another electrician comes in, he may not know that everything is reversed. Also the next home owner may not know. This is a safety big hazard. Also, i'd check the entire eletrical system, because if they mix up that simple of a thing, what else did they mix up.
So you are right about having to fix the main source and fixing it there. The conductors are color coded for a reason.
A tip is to use NCV Detector on the outlets upstream of that circuit. If polarity is reversed maybe wires at an outlet are reversed or even worse and odd is wires at the main panel are reversed. Advise u to call an electrician though.
Your video is a reverse polarity with a square socket. Mine is the older round double socket is there any difference or do I need to replace it with the newer square socket? I other words is the back the same on both shaped sockets?
Both kinds work and test out the same.
where did you buy ur three Flute Voltmeter in ur demonstration video
Hey Bill is there a specific reason why the conductors are not connected in line kind of thing to the outlet, in other words white conductor to white screw across the black conductor to bronze screw ? Since you have two white screws and two bronze screws. I normally see the conductors been connected alternated to one another. Is this a code? Hope you understand my question.
Thanks
No. It's usually a new guy not paying attention to what he's doing. White goes to silver, black to bronze, and green to ground. Old wiring or special circumstances may be done differently, but usually not for receptacles.
You're going to double check to make sure that there are no Hot wires at all in this box?
Is there a reason why they would keep being reversed?
I just replaced the outlets in a bedroom, only to find out the entire set of outlets do not work when the breaker is turned on. So obviously messed up one or more outlets along the way / how can I determine - since I am
Not getting power in either breaker position - where the screw up is!
Sparked I have 3 outlets on a 15a breaker ..i put in 3 new receptacles all hooked up correctly blacks to bronze colored screws.and whites to. Silver screws ...using my outlet tester I am now getting reverse hot and nuetral on all three outlets ...rechecked twice no mix ups..checked the breaker and black wire is hooked to breaker switch ..so now what? Your help would be appreciated ..i believe this room was wired in the 70s there are grounds btw...
If that wire from your panel is INDEED going to your first receptacle you installed, (and you instslled it correctly), then something is wrong w/ your receptacle. I don't think that's your first hit from the panel, though.
Wonder if they got swapped along the way. So somewhere in the circuit the black wire turned into a white wire
Did you find out?
Is it possible to have a reverse polarity on a 240v 3 prong outlet? I'm assuming not since reverse polarity if I understand correctly is mixed hot and neutral and the three-prong has two hots and a neutral/ground prong - correct?
yes! glad you were able to put it back on your account !
LOL! Thanks for telling me about it!
hey, i have a question. is there a way to use 3 way switches to control a ceiling fan that will control the light and fan on separate switches without having 2 separate travelers?
This is the type of videos I love watching from Sparky Channel. I hope he answers or does a video on this. I've been hoping he would upload his video on how to wire a three-way circuit again. I've shown dozens of people that video until it got lost.
Darrin, you don't happen to have a copy of that video do you? I'll bet someone has a copy.
@@SparkyChannel No, I wish I did though!
@@darrinward7815 Thanks anyway! :)
Great video from Sparkman! Always learning from him! Thumbs up!
Thanks Joe!
Very well explained. Thank you. I wish I had all that nice Fluke equipment, but I will manage with my Harbor Freight voltage detector and lower-class Fluke 106.
Thanks! Yes, Fluke makes very good but pricey testing equipment.
Was that a Snap On driver you used to take the cover plate off? Looked like it had a nice cabinet tip!
No, that was part of my Milwaukee set. They do have very nice tips and I really like them. Thanks!
Always good into to know. Question though. My house, as an example, does not use "pig tails" from the wires to the outlet. So if (as an example) the second outlet in the line is reversed would that make all the others downline also reversed (even if those are wired properly)?
Yes, absolutely! That's why you try to fix the most upstream receptacle that has the problem first. If you do, all the downstream receptacles will be fixed too.
Hi Bill. I follow your videos. They are absolutely excellent! In this video you mentioned that there is a situation where this can occur. So my question is can this occur in another way than simply reversing the connection at an outlet? I ask because I’m am a retired secondary math teacher who has become a part time handyman with many years of experience having had three different homes. I recently came across this where a third card garage addition has all its outlets and lights reversed. I use the same Ideal tester/transmitter that you like to use. My neighbor said that’s been like that ever since they moved to that house for the 13 or so years. So they did not want me to look into it, so I didn’t. Shoiuld that be pursued? What do you think?
Yes. Which is why I'm looking in the comments. It could go all the way back to the breakers. Or in this video, the other end of the wire on the other outlet.
But, yes it is a safety issue and should be fixed. I've heard from co workers of the hot being grounded and also the neutral NOT be grounded where it comes in.
Thank you very much ! I learned a lot !
I have a circuit breaker that now works in when in the off position, and doesn't work in the on position. I just did some rewiring, and am an amateur. I messed something up somewhere. What could it be ? Is it dangerous ?
My opinion is to get a qualified and licensed electrician to look at this situation immediately!
also where did you buy 3-piece electrical screw drivers ftom ??
Electrical supply house or Home Depot or Lowe’s
Very informative. Thanks
No problem, thanks!
ANOTHER great presentation !
Thanks!
Thank you for the lesson!
Glad it was helpful!
If every plug in the house is reversed is there a way to reverse the wires at the breaker panel?
Sounds like a major screw up when putting in the panel, and it appears like it wasn’t done by a qualified and licensed electrician.
Hey @Sparky Channel can you please make a video of the klein cl800 clamp meter
I'm sorry, I don't own one.
What happens if your politary is in reverse and it is wired correctly?
Sounds like the wires (polarity) was reversed some where up steam of this outlet.
Thanks so much!! Just subbed....
Thanks!
I had this issue at work today with a USB outlet. I was sent to a job for the outlet not working when I took it out of the wall I looked and seen that it was wired correctly but it keep saying it's rev
Good job!
So what was the issue and how did you fix
Thanks sparky
Thanks 🙏
You’re welcome 😊
Is it possible for the tester to display hot-neutral reverse when the actual problem was an open ground? I connected the ground and it went from reverse polarity to correct.
Good question
Look at the "How To Identify Reverse Polarity Bootleg Ground Receptacles" (Nov 28, 2020) on this channel. Maybe that is your real problem?
@@HoosierRallyMaster I checked with the voltage tester and only the small slots are hot. It seems to be correct now. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still puzzled about why it didn't show up as an open ground in the first place.
You need to cover the screws with electrical tape or rubber so they don't hit the metal box. Plastic box much better.
Thanks! See 6:24 where I put electricians tape around the terminals.
Everyone's a master electrician when they're fresh out of school. And he doesn't "need to"...it's recommended 👍🏻
the IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC. 61-164 SureTest Circuit Analyzer, CATIII 300V AC,Yellow is only for 120V? I can't use it 230V?
Kick ass
Thanks Dave!
👍👍😊😊
Thanks!
💥😷🍻🍺
Cheers with a beer! :)
Kick ass
Thanks!